Former candidate for congressional office says the case isn't over yet as he plans to appeal

DOVER, N.H. (AP) -- A former congressional candidate convicted of faking his disappearance after a car crash two years ago said today the verdict was devastating, but said the case isn't over.

Gary Dodds, 43, was found guilty Wednesday of falisfying evidence, causing a false public alarm and leaving the scene of the April 2006 crash, which prosecutors said he staged to boost his faltering campaign for the 1st Congressional District nomination. Dodds said he is considering an appeal.

"I'm a fighter. I don't give up," Dodds said. "This is not about me. It's about the rule of law and innocent people being wrongly accused."

Dodds claims he injured his head in a crash and nearly drowned in a river before being rescued 27 hours later from the snowy woods. Prosecutors said he spent part of that time soaking his feet in cold water to make it appear he spent the night outdoors, all to attract attention to his campaign.

In the Democratic congressional primary election that September, Dodds wound up coming in third out of four candidates. The winner, anti-war activist Carol Shea-Porter, went on to defeat Republican incumbent Jeb Bradley in the general election.

Dodds faces up to seven years in prison at his sentencing. He is free on bail until then.

He called the verdict "only a fork in the road."

"It's not over yet," he said. "It's just very heartbreaking to have this type of conclusion at this juncture. I don't think it's fair."

Prosecutor Thomas Velardi said Wednesday he wasn't sure what sentence he will recommend, but noted Dodd earlier rejected a plea deal in which he would have avoided prison in return for pleading guilty to leaving the scene and repaying $20,000 the state spent on the search.

Prosecutors allege that Dodds, a businessman, was desperate after having spent nearly twice as much on the campaign as his wife had agreed to and taking out two mortgages on their home to finance it.

But defense lawyers said the mortgages were used to pay for renovations and there was no reason for Dodds to stage the crash.

On the witness stand, Dodds said he could remember almost nothing other than crossing the river, walking up a hill and then covering himself with leaves. But his clothing was dry except for his shoes and socks, and an expert testified the condition of his feet --purple and wrinkled when the rest of his skin was normal --must have meant Dodds soaked his feet in cold water to create the effect.